During most weekends I relax, reflect and watch some of my favorite TV shows. Besides GOT (Game of Thrones for those who don’t know) I LOVE cooking shows, Forged in Fire, New Age Artist Exhibits, a guilty dose of Real Housewives and most beloved is the Nature Channel or NAT Geo Wild.
This week on the Nature Channel I was given the opportunity to explore the world of a mother Cheetah and her new born cubs for a whole hour. To my surprise, I had no idea that Cheetah Moms are single mothers?! My interest was immediately piqued just from this discovery. The documentary took us through the ups and downs that a Cheetah mother faces raising five cubs in a wild wilderness and defending them against predators such as lions, leopards and hyenas.
Everyone knows Cheetahs are super-fast runners, to have this type of speed they must be extremely lean and not as bulky and strong as their other cat cousins. For this alone, protecting her cubs was a precarious undertaking. A mother cheetah does not possess the strength to fight off these predators. This calculated weakness made her extremely thoughtful and watchful over her cubs. Little did I know, as I fell in love with the five little cubs trotting happily behind their Mom that only two of them would live to become a young teen. It was truly a fascinating experience to go on with this cheetah family. It embodied the twist and turns that we all face in our lives. Here are some life truths I uncovered from the show.
- The mother cheetah loved her cubs fearlessly, she was extremely diligent in her role as Mom. She enjoyed letting them jump on her, play with her and pull and bite on her ears. She pleasantly sat and watched them play always keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings.
Life Truth: No matter how busy we are our children need and desire our love, affection and personal time. The connecting bonds that need to be formed in early childhood are important and vital. It will not hinder us from keeping an eye on what we need to do to support and care for our children. Give them the most precious gift of your time, love and active attention.
- When two of her cubs were murdered by other stronger more dominate animals she was unshaken in her resolve to keep her living cubs alive, fed and on the move to ensure their safety. Her remaining cubs were visibly shaken to see their siblings murdered but they looked to their mother for strength. She used her body language and energy to model tenacity and courage. She motivated them to move on and continue to live with joy.
Life Truth: When we experience a personal loss, a death, divorce, or a major life event our little ones look to us to know how to behave, react and move forward. In these moments, showing our children our open vulnerability and strength by facing these hardships and challenges reassures them that they too can handle whatever happens. Ask yourself daily, what is the model I’m reflecting to my children? Will it help them face life with trust in themselves, loving openness, grit, vulnerability, and a courageous heart? From my daily example, will they possess a deep understanding that life is full of challenges that will help them grow and to face them head on without fear?!
- When one of her cubs became extremely sick with a bacterial infection you clearly saw her intimate love. She stayed with this little cub for a while. As her cub slowly began to die, she comforted her with her presence, quietly asking her to get up, to try to move and come with her. As she looked around their grassy plains she knew it was unsafe for her and the other cubs to linger any longer in one place. She walked a few feet away from her cub and called to her repeatedly to come. When she didn’t see the cub come or move anymore she left with her last two cubs.
Life Truth: Life will require you to let go and move on during the most painful loses. You must not lose sight that your loved ones who are still with you, need you and you’re important and critical to the family.
- One of the last two cubs was hurt by an animal attack but was still alive, the wildlife documentary team stepped in and took the cub to a veterinarian to get the wound addressed and placed the cub back with her family. When she arrived back home her sister was filled with pure elation and kissed her many times and they played together happily. After that incident that little cub was never the same, she became cunning, resourceful and set out diligently to copy all her mother’s behaviors. Her sister on the other hand stayed close to the mom for comfort and love.
Life Truth: Each of your children will be unique and different. They will face challenges needed for their individual growth. Don’t resist the unfolding of painful events happening for your children. They do not belong to you. They are not you. Be their guide through the hardships and watch them become stronger and more resilient for them.
- As the cubs grew older they followed her up trees and watched her capture prey. When they were of age she presented them with an opportunity to assist her and kill an animal themselves. She visibly stepped back with silent approval supporting their first kill.
Life Truth: Being a healthy role model for your children is critical to their overall understanding of life. Your example and guidance will assist them in discovering their unique purpose and responsibility as a human being to themselves and others. Your children are watching EVERYTHING you do. They are LISTENING to everything you say. They are taking in how they should behave and talk. Teach them well about everything in life and watch them take off and soar on their own. By walking in YOUR passion and purpose, you will enable them to forge a life of their own.
- When the cubs were of age the mother licked them, goodbye and left. The sister who was the closest to her cried out to her for a little but found strength from her sisters resolve to move on; the two sisters began their new journey together.
Life Truth: Know when it is time to let your children go. Allow them to create their own path in the world. As humans this letting go process unfolds one year at a time. We let them go a little when we send them to day-care, we let them go a little more when they go to kindergarten, then first grade and on and on. Don’t be afraid. You will always be their as their guide along the way. Remind them always they will never be alone. When you stand with them on their graduation from high school heading to college. Whisper into their ear, you will never be without me, remember all the times we have shared together and lessons you have learned. I am always just one call away.
- The cubs went off to experience their first kill as a duo and were overjoyed at themselves for being successful. In that moment, life validated to them that they were ready!
Life Truth: Life is to be lived! As Paulo Coelho says, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. Your children will learn nothing if they can’t get out there and use all that they have been taught. Be there for them when they fail. Show them the value in failing and learning from their failures. Be there when they are successful. Show them how to stand in gratitude humbly at their achievements but not to cling to them tightly. More will come and more will go.
Be the role model that your children need and show them by your actions, words and open dialogue how to be resilient and smile in the face of challenges.
Action Steps:
- What steps can I take daily to enable me to be a good role model for myself and my child/children?
- Where am I currently being successful with cultivating a loving, communicative relationship with my child/children?
- What can I do to let my children go a little and grow through their choices?
Thank you for visiting Connected Purpose and reading our Blog! Please leave questions, feedback or share your experiences and stories concerning this article below!
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/connectedpurpos and check us out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/connectedpurpose/ you’re guaranteed to be motivated and inspired by what we share! Tell everyone you know to check out http://connectedpurpose.com/ to read our latest blogs! Most importantly, if you’re looking for a Life Coach email connectedpurpose@gmail.com for a free 30-minute consult.
Be-Live-Speak love into your life and you will connect to your purpose!
Recent Comments